Founder of file-sharing website is denied bail

A New Zealand judge denied bail yesterday to Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom, while a US official confirmed the arrest of a fifth suspect, in the Netherlands, in the copyright infringement case against the website.

A New Zealand judge denied bail yesterday to Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom, while a US official confirmed the arrest of a fifth suspect, in the Netherlands, in the copyright infringement case against the website.

Judge David McNaughton in Auckland denied Mr Dotcom bail pending a hearing on February 22 on his possible extradition to the United States, saying Mr Dotcom posed a flight risk. Mr Dotcom (38) insists he is innocent and poses no risk.

New Zealand police arrested three other Megaupload employees last week on US accusations they facilitated millions of illegal downloads of films, music and other content, costing copyright holders at least $500m (€381m) in lost revenue. Judge McNaughton is expected to make bail rulings on the three later this week.